B. Birgit Koebke and Kendall French with Olympic diver Greg Louganis in Chicago last April as part of the Gay Games VII 100 Champions weekend. Photo by Hal Baim__________
In California, a lesbian couple has settled a lawsuit against a country club, more than a year after the state's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the couple in a landmark anti-discrimination case, according to SignOnSanDiego.com . B. Birgit Koebke and Kendall French, her registered domestic partner, sued after the club refused to recognize French under spousal membership rules.
The terms of the settlement agreement, reached earlier this month, were not disclosed in court documents. Attorney H. Paul Kondrick, who represented the lesbian couple who sued the country club in 2001, has said that the terms of the agreement are confidential.
In an e-mail to Windy City Times, Koebke said that she and French 'are happy to have this case settled and behind us. Kendall and I play as much golf at Bernardo Heights as our schedules allow.'
A grateful Koebke added that Lambda Legal has done a lot for the residents of the state: 'All registered domestic partners, gay and straight ( straight couples over the age of 62 ) in the state of California owe Lambda Legal and Jon Davidson ( Lambda Legal Director ) their support and a HUGE THANK YOU for giving us our dignity back. Because of Lambda Legal, married couples and domestic partners have to be treated as equals and are entitled to all the same benefits.
'When Lambda wins everyone benefits! Kendall and I were honored to have Lambda's representation at the California Supreme Court. Their victory sent a huge message across the country. We knew in our hearts that this case was never just about a game of golf!'